Theresa Elliott

Theresa Morrow Elliott, 71, formerly of Leavenworth, Kansas, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2006 at her home in Auburn, Kansas. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Harlen O. Elliott; daughter, Denise Miller, Cypress, Texas; daughter, Erin Kirkland and husband, Vaughn, Topeka, Kansas; son, Thornton L. Elliott and wife Cyndi, Aurora, Nebraska; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Her brother, Donald O. Morrow and wife, Kay, Tampa, Florida; and sister, Patricia Hart and husband, Lee, of Atlanta, Georgia also survive her.

Theresa was born October 1, 1934 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Thornton Court and Eveleen Odom Morrow. The family moved to south Mississippi during the early 1940's. Theresa graduated from Purvis High School and attended Mississippi Southern University where she majored in Art.

On December 20, 1953 she married Harlen O. Elliott, also of Purvis, Mississippi, while he was a student at Mississippi State University. They moved to Great Britain upon Harlen's graduation and Army commissioning. During the next 20 years, they lived in Europe and numerous locations in the United States. Theresa was a very busy Army wife, raising three children, oftentimes alone, during Harlen's frequent field operations and assignments to Korea and Vietnam. Theresa was commited to supporting the families of service personnel. She taught children's art classes and led Girl Scouts and military community activities, always seeking to build community volunteer organizations.

After retirment from the Army in 1975, the family settled in Leavenworth, Kansas. Theresa raised Quarter Horses with her family, was a 4-H club member and continued to teach children's art. She was co-owner of American Auto Electric and Machine, Midwest Marine, and was Vice President of Midwest Distributors, Inc. until they sold the businesses in 1998. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling and became an accomplished photographer, winning several photography awards. She also helped Harlen show their antique automobile at local and national car shows.

She was a member of the Topeka Art Guild, Topeka Regional and National Antique Automoblie Club of America, Lowman United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and former member of Lansing United Methodist Church. During her years in Leavenworth, Theresa was active in church service and leadership, serving on the local church board and as UMW President.

Theresa battled ovarian cancer for three years, always in good spirits and living life to its fullest. She gave generously of herself to family and friends, while enjoying her love of sports cars, gardening, horses, art, water sports and her children and grandchildren

Mrs. Elliott will lie in state after 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 25 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW. 10th St., Topeka, Kansas, 66604, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 pm that evening. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, April 26 at the funeral home with burial to follow in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Lowman United Methodist Church, 15th and Gage Blvd, Topeka, Kansas, 66604, Lansing United Methodist Church, 107 E. Kay St., Lansing, Kansas, 66043 or to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW. Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66606.